How Working Mums Can Relax & Unwind For A Great Night’s Sleep 

Whether you work in an office or you are self-employed, it is important for working mums to get a good night’s sleep – especially when there’s children to look after. Jugging a stressful routine, work deadlines and children, plus a variety of other tasks can have an impact on your sleeping pattern. If you find it hard to unwind and relax after a long hard day, then here are some useful tips and tricks that can help you!   

Avoid using technology before bed 

Do you have a habit of browsing through your phone before bedtime? Using technology such as your mobile, laptop, or even watching TV right before bed could have a negative impact on your sleep routine. Sleep.org suggests that technology can affect your sleep as gadgets and blue light from screens can keep you from having a good night’s sleep. It’s always best to avoid using technology at least a few hours before going to sleep so that you can better relax and unwind. It can be all too tempting to check your emails, especially if you have a tight deadline to meet!  

Try to avoid caffeine 

As well as avoiding technology before bedtime, it is also best to avoid caffeine too. Although you might be tired towards the end of the working day, consuming caffeine too late in the day can keep you up for longer at night. Some suggest that it is best to avoid drinking coffee before 5pm or 6pm. Towards bedtime it is best to instead have drinks that can help aid your sleep rather than keep you awake. Herbal tea or a glass of warm milk are just some beverages that can help relax you before you head upstairs to bed. 

Make your bedroom more comfortable 

One of the easiest ways that you can have a better night sleep as a working parent is making sure that your bedroom is a perfect sleep environment for you. If street lights or the sunrise wakes you up when you are sleeping, why not try some black-out blinds? When you think about the importance of sleep is not just about the quantity of sleep you get each night, but also the quality.  Having a comfortable bed to sleep in and making sure that your bedroom is always the right temperature can also help you sleep better every night.  

Stick to an organised work schedule 

For working parents, it can be difficult to switch off from work tasks and make time for everything else that you have to do. While sticking to a work schedule can be hard, it can help you to unwind properly before bedtime. Rather than doing last minute work on your laptop before bed, stick to a work cut-off time earlier on in the evening. If you’d like your working day to finish at 6pm, then try your best to stick to it. Finishing your work day at a decent time means that you will have more time to relax and clear your head before bedtime.  

Try meditation before heading to bed 

If you have problems relaxing before bedtime, then trying meditation can help you relax and unwind after a stressful work day. Making time in your evening routine for Yoga or even getting started with Mindfulness can help you relax your muscles and de-stress at the end of the day. When your mind is busy thinking about work deadlines and childcare, taking time to meditate can help you unwind and prepare for a good night’s sleep.  

** This is a collaborative post **